HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT METRO TUNNEL RAIL PROJECT EARLY WORKS ST KILDA ROAD, MELBOURNE VHR: H2359 Prepared for Melbourne Metro Rail Authority With sub consultant John Patrick Pty Ltd, Landscape Architects November 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ii 1.0 Introduction 1 1.1 Context of Metro Tunnel 2 1.1.1 Environment Effects Statement 2 1.1.2 Metro Tunnel early works 3 1.1.3 Overview of the application 3 2.0 Statutory controls and listings 4 2.1 Victorian Heritage Register 4 2.2 Victorian Heritage Inventory 7 2.3 Melbourne Planning Scheme 7 3.0 Brief history and description 8 3.1 History 8 3.2 Description 10 4.0 Proposed works 21 4.1 Tree removal and infrastructure removal works 22 4.1.1 Tree removals 22 4.1.2 Kerb and channel removal 29 4.1.3 Roadway demolition 29 4.2 New works: alteration of road functional layout and re-route of trams 29 4.3 Reinstatement works 30 5.0 Assessment of heritage impact 32 5.1 Heritage considerations 32 5.1.1 Heritage Act 1995 32 5.1.2 VHR documentation 32 5.2 Assessment of heritage impact 33 5.2.1 Compliance with Environmental Performance Requirements 35 5.2.2 Technical Note 40 37 5.2.3 Adjacent heritage places 37 6.0 Conclusion 37 Appendices Appendix A Detailed list of trees to be removed prepared by John Patrick Pty Ltd Appendix B St Kilda Road Early Works Construction Stages Plans prepared by MMRA Appendix C St Kilda Road history extract from VHR Nomination Supporting Documentation prepared by Lovell Chen Appendix D Victorian Heritage Register citation LOVELL CHEN I EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This Heritage Impact Statement (HIS) has been prepared on behalf of the Melbourne Metro Rail Authority (MMRA) to accompany a permit application to Heritage Victoria for proposed works within St Kilda Road, Melbourne. St Kilda Road as included on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR), designated H2359, extends from Princes Bridge, Melbourne to Henry Street, Windsor. It is of historical and aesthetic significance to the state of Victoria. Its significance derives from its early establishment as a grand tree-lined boulevard, in the European style, and as the southern gateway to the city. The significance of St Kilda Road also relates to its long historical and ongoing association with ceremonial and celebratory events. It is an iconic boulevard that is considered to be a place of beauty and an outstanding element in Melbourne’s urban landscape, distinguished by the roadway medians containing significant avenue plantings of mature Elms and Planes. The early works proposed as part of the Metro Tunnel project relate to the establishment of the construction site for the construction of the proposed Domain station and as a launch site for the tunnel boring machine (TBM) to be used in the project. Works are contained within the length of St Kilda Road between Park Street, South Melbourne in the north and Toorak Road West to the south. Proposed works include the relocation of services, removal of trees, re-routing of roadway, pedestrian and tramway infrastructure and the construction of two tram stops. It is noted that the works will be undertaken in a sequential manner to maintain vehicle, tram and pedestrian access through the area. The impacts on significant fabric and features relate to the removal of up to 103 trees within the proposed construction site, and the removal of contributory fabric, such as bluestone kerb and channel. As related to the tree removal, it is acknowledged that the impact on the aesthetic qualities and presentation of the place in this location will be significant and transformative. For a period of time the heritage qualities of this section of St Kilda Road will not be evident in a straight physical sense. While the impact is significant in the short term, it will be mitigated by future landscape reinstatement works. It is intended that at the end of the main works phase for the Metro Tunnel works, and to the extent possible having regard for the new infrastructure, St Kilda Road will be reinstated as a formally planted boulevard in a manner that is consistent with its identified heritage values. These works will include replanting of mature trees of the same species to reinstate the boulevard character of the roadway, thus restoring the valued aesthetic qualities and character of the place. Further, future roadway reinstatement works will, where possible, re-use salvaged materials to maintain the presentation and materiality of the roadway. These landscape reinstatement works are subject to detailed design. They do not form part of this heritage permit application and will be subject to future permit application/s under the Heritage Act. LOVELL CHEN II 1.0 Introduction This Heritage Impact Statement (HIS) has been prepared on behalf of the Melbourne Metro Rail Authority (MMRA) to accompany a permit application to Heritage Victoria for proposed works within St Kilda Road, Melbourne (Victorian Heritage Register H2359, Figure 1). St Kilda Road extends from Princes Bridge, Melbourne to Henry Street, Windsor. The proposal is for early works required for the Metro Tunnel project, specifically works in preparation for the establishment of a construction site at the location of the proposed Domain station, including re-routing of traffic and trams and services relocation. It is noted that the proposed works are limited to a specific location within St Kilda Road and the balance of the heritage place is unaffected. This HIS makes reference to drawings prepared by MMRA titled Melbourne Metro St Kilda Road – Early Works Heritage Permit Application, as follows: Key Plan MMR-ADV-PMAA-M2-DD-920 Rev 1.0, 27/09/16 Existing Conditions MMR-ADV-PMAA-M2-DD-923, Rev 1.0, 27/09/16 Existing Conditions MMR-ADV-PMAA-M2-DD-924, Rev 2.0, 8/11/16 Existing Conditions MMR-ADV-PMAA-M2-DD-925, Rev 1.0, 27/09/16 Existing Conditions MMR-ADV-PMAA-M2-DD-926, Rev 1.0, 27/09/16 Existing Conditions MMR-ADV-PMAA-M2-DD-927, Rev 2.0, 17/10/16 Heritage Impact MMR-ADV-PMAA-M2-DD-921 Rev 4.0, 8/11/16 Heritage Impact MMR-ADV-PMAA-M2-DD-922 Rev 5.0, 8/11/16 Proposed Changes MMR-ADV-PMAA-M2-DD-928, Rev 5.0, 9/11/16 Proposed Changes MMR-ADV-PMAA-M2-DD-929, Rev 4.0, 8/11/16 Proposed Changes MMR-ADV-PMAA-M2-DD-930, Rev 3.0, 26/10/16 Proposed Changes MMR-ADV-PMAA-M2-DD-931, Rev 4.0, 9/11/16 Proposed Changes MMR-ADV-PMAA-M2-DD-932, Rev 5.0, 8/11/16 The following drawings prepared by AJM Joint Venture and MMRA for the Toorak Road West tram stop are also referenced, as follows: Central Island Platform Layout MMR-AJM-NPDM-DR-DD-637155, Rev P1, 02/09/2016 Side Platform Layout MMR-AJM-NPDM-DR-DD-637156, Rev P1, 02/09/2016 Additional plans provide information regarding the staging of the works, titled Melbourne Metro St Kilda Rd – Early Works Heritage Permit Application (refer to Appendix B), as follows: Construction Stage 1 MMR-ADV-PMAA-M2-DD-936, Rev 3.0, 26/10/16 Construction Stage 2 MMR-ADV-PMAA-M2-DD-937, Rev 3.0, 26/10/16 Construction Stage 3 MMR-ADV-PMAA-M2-DD-938, Rev 3.0, 26/10/16 Construction Stage 4 MMR-ADV-PMAA-M2-DD-939, Rev 3.0, 26/10/16 Construction Stage 5 MMR-ADV-PMAA-M2-DD-940, Rev 3.0, 26/10/16 LOVELL CHEN 1 Figure 1 Approximate location of proposed works at St Kilda Road Source: www.street-directory.com.au 1.1 Context of Metro Tunnel The Metro Tunnel project comprises twin nine kilometre rail tunnels from Kensington to South Yarra, travelling underneath Swanston Street in central Melbourne, as part of a new Sunbury to Cranbourne/Pakenham line. The Metro Tunnel broadly comprises: twin nine kilometre rail tunnels from Kensington to South Yarra connecting the Sunbury and Cranbourne/Pakenham railway lines (with the tunnels to be used by electric trains) rail tunnel portals (entrances) at Kensington and South Yarra new underground stations at Arden, Parkville, CBD North, CBD South and Domain to accommodate longer High Capacity Metro Trains train/tram interchange at Parkville and Domain stations. As part of the Metro Tunnel, an underground railway station and train/tram interchange (known as Domain station) is proposed at the intersection of St Kilda, Domain and Albert roads, generally in the location of the early works proposed in this application. MMRA has been formed to deliver the Metro Tunnel for the Victorian Government. MMRA is an administrative office of the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources. MMRA is delivering the project in line with the transport system objectives and decision making principles of the Transport Integration Act 2010. Accordingly MMRA must have regard to the objectives and principles of that Act in performing its function and role in respect of the project. 1.1.1 Environment Effects Statement As part of the planning process for the Metro Tunnel, an Environment Effects Statement (EES) has been prepared for the project. The Metro Tunnel EES is an integrated assessment of the potential environmental, social, economic and planning impacts of the project, and the approach to managing these impacts. The EES is supported by a range of technical studies that identify and assess the potential impacts of the project and provide guidance on mitigation measures including recommended LOVELL CHEN 2 environmental performance requirements (EPRs). An historical heritage impact assessment was prepared by Lovell Chen as part of the EES, with input as related to the impacts on trees, including trees in heritage places, from John Patrick Pty Ltd.